Groundbreaking set for Aug. 31

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex will be held in conjunction with South Dakota State’s 2013 football opener on Aug. 31.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the construction area directly north of Coughlin-Alumni Stadium and the Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center.

The Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2014. The indoor practice and human performance facility will include an eight-lane, 300-meter competition track and 100 yards of synthetic turf, along with space for sports medicine, athletic training, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, observation rooms and office facilities.

Leadership gifts from the Dale and Pat Larson family, First Bank & Trust, Sanford Health, Larson Manufacturing and other anonymous donors have made this transformational facility a reality. To date, nearly $29 million has been raised for the project, which was part of SDSU’s “It Starts With STATE”: A campaign for South Dakota State University. The six-year campaign raised more than $255 million for students, faculty, facilities, athletics and other university programs.

Kickoff for the SDSU-Butler football game is set for 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. Tickets, including $10 tickets for SDSU faculty and staff, remain available for the season opener, which will include a fireworks show immediately following the game. For ticket information, call the Jackrabbit Ticket Office at 1-866-GO JACKS or log on to www.jackrabbittickets.com.